Hi guys,
My name's Darius and this is my first time on this forum. I have excellent GPAs, good research exp, great sop and letters of recommendation at the undergrad - I have applied for a PHD in Chemical Engineering at many of the top schools as my interests are pretty well defined.
However, my GRE's an abysmal 1380 - V-590, Q-790, AWA-4.5
Am I screwed people?
I mean, I thought i'd be a good candidate for schools like stanford (yeah right), georgia, illinois-urbana champaign, penn state etc. but in light of my GRE scores, do I even stand a chance?

Help me out pls.

P.S I tried mailing the Grad advisors and they were all like, we need the entire application, blah blah and we look forward to receiving your application...

Hi Darius,
I do not believe that you are in trouble. While I have heard that U.S schools do place weight on the GRE (I am Canadian), it sounds to me that you stand a GOOD chance. The GRE is ONE test combined with the years you spent on building an excellent GPA, research experience and letters of recommendation. Also I assume your well defined interests clearly match a faculty member interests. I'm sure they will consider "the entire application". Good luck!

Hi Ann,
Nice meeting you and thanks for the reply.
People please tell me if my GRE verbal is too low - at 590 for a PHD in Chemical Engineering. I mean would it clear the minimum standards set by the top schools?
P.S I am from Germany and an International student.

Your best bet would be to do some searching around University web sites for minimum requirements for GRE. I did a search for Stanford and came up with this:
http://cheme.stanford.edu/prospective_students/grad_admiss_faqs.html

Sometimes on University web sites, you can find average GRE/GPA for the previous year admitted.

Personally, I'm all about keeping your options open. I would say go for it! If you're not accepted at any Universities, you can always inquire about where your application was weak, and if it requires re-writing the GRE, so be it. :)

Hey Ann,
Thanks for your words of support!
I mailed the grad schools and none of them appear to have a minimum score and they all encouraged me to apply...Guess I'll just keep my fingers crossed eh.

If you speak german,
Auf Granit beißen oder Beweise her oder Maul halten!

Good luck to you too!

No problem!
Remember a PhD is all about perseverance. If something doesn’t go right, keep going. Keep us all informed on the outcome!

PS. I went to a translation search engine free on the web. That expression came out as:
“Bite on granite or hold proofs here or mouth”.

Should I put faith in this web site in the future?

Sure thing, i'll keep you posted.
Oh and haha no whereever did u get it translated??
It means "to whack your head against a brick wall" OR "Show evidence or back off!!!"
That was meant for the univ....not this site!!
Thank you once again...

You should apply to your list of uni's as to be honest for a Phd its more releavant if your application fits in with the research profile of the department and whether they are able to find supervisor(s) to offer you an RA/TA from their funds and absorb you into their ongoing activities